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Patented Oct. ll, I898.

C. MAURIN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Oct. 6, 1897.

No Model.)

2 Sheets8heet l.

WjJl/VE-SSE-S' [WEE/V1073 (kflwiin Mar/272 1r W Pawns co. Pumaumo, .vAsmvsTo N0. 6|2,36|. Patented Oct. ll, I898.

C. MAUR'IN. I ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Oct. 6, 1897,)

2 Sheets$heet 2.

(No Model.)

. I I i\ ll Hll \IIHH STATES ATFNT rricn.

OELESTIN MAURIN, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

ACETYLEN E-GAS G EN EPRATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,361, dated October 11, 1898.

A plication filed October 6, 1897. Serial No. 654,267. (No model.)

To (l ZZ "whom it may concern.-

Be it known. that I, CELESTIX .MAURIN, a citizen of the French Republic, residing at Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Producing Acetylene Gas, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toapparatus for generating acetylene gas; and the primary objeet of the invention is to construct such an apparatus that will produce a certain limited volume of acetylene gas obtained at a pressure that is always even and constant and that may be readily controlled.

It consists in the novel arrangement and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described, and afterward particularly pointed out in the claims.

By means of an intermittent development of gas obtained from a determined quantity of calcium carbid corresponding to the capaeity of the gasometer I overcome two serious defects of apparatus of this classviz., a return of the flame and the presence of a violent or agitated flame, as only a small quantity of calcium carbid is attacked at a time, thus making the apparatus absolutely safe and maintaining the inner pressure always constant, this equilibrium being established between the water and the gas at all times during the production and consumption, and all leaks which may diminish the pressure are compensated by a hydraulic closure or cut-oi".

My invention will be fully understood from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the outer vessel. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the inner vessel or bell-shaped gasometer. Fig. 2 shows the same in a plan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the gas-generating chamber. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the gas-generator. Fig. 3' is a cross-section of the basket for containing the cases of calcium. carbid. Fig. 4c is an outer elevation, and Fig. 5 a vertical cross-section, of the complete apparatus. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the casings toreceive the caloi um carbid having its cover removed to more clearly show the sectors or different compartments.

The improved apparatus, of which the elevation Fig. 4 gives a general view, is composed of three principal partsiirst, the outer receptacle; second, the bell-shaped gasometer, and, third, the gas-generator with the basket.

The receptacle ll, Fig. 1, is provided with two vertical uprights m m", connected at the top ends by a horizontal bar and carrying each a pulley n, Fig. 4E.

The bell or gasometer, Fig. 2, comprises a greater cylinder 0, constituting the gasometer proper, and a smaller cylinder 0, having double walls and being secured in the top of cylinder O and communicating directly with the gasometer, while the space between the two walls of cylinder 0 forms an annular well G. This top part, besides, is provided with a well 13 on one side, (see Figs. 2 and 2%) which communicates through the opening 0 with said well G and through the pipe T with the interior of the gasometer. Besides this pipe Ttwo smaller pipes 25 2f communicate with the gasometer and extend therefrom to a joint, where they unite into a single pipe K, provided with a valve R.

The gas-generator, Fig. 3, comprises as its main part a cylinder a, open at the bottom and closed at its top by an inverted cylinder E, the walls of which are adapted to be received within the well G of the cylinder 0. The inner cylinder of the generator is closed at about two-thirds of its height by means of a conical partition J, from the apex or point of which a pipe S extends upwardly at a slight angle leading to the outside, where after making a bend it descends vertically. This pipe is provided with a valve A and terminates in a bell-shaped plunger P, adapted to be received over the pipe T and communicating thereby with the gasometer. A handle X is secured to the dome of the generator to facilitate the manipulation of the same. The latter is adapted to receive a basket N, consisting of a cylinder, with openings N in the wall, having a base B, whose diameter is equal to that of the cylinder a of the generator, upon which it is secured by means of pins and angular slots, forming the well-known bayonetjoint (Z (Z. Said basket is adapted to inclosc a plurality of casings Z) Z) D U I) Z), Fig. 5, which are charged with calcium carbid in the form of cartridges.

The apparatus operates in the following manner: After having placed the outer receptacle H on a suitable base it is filled with water up to the level indicated by the dotted line I, Fig. 1. The bell or gasometer C is then immersed into the receptacle while the valve R is held open. hen the gasomet-er has reached the bottom of the receptacle, it is held in position by means of a movable belt or setscrew Z. Thus the gasometer remains wholly submerged in the water of the receptacle, and not a particle of air can remain inside of the same. The valve R is then closed, and two cords f f, carrying at their ends counterbalance-weights W, are tied to ears L, secured to the gasometer. \Vater is then added by pouring the same into the annular well G until it reaches the height of the opening 0. Part of this water passes into the well p,which should be filled also until the opening 0 is under the level. The basket N in the present instance has a capacity for six cylindrical cases, each one of which is divided inside into seven equal sectors Q, and one of these sectors communicates with the exterior by means of an opening Y, provided on the side of the casing. The sectors communicate with each other by means of small openings 1 provided in the partitions, and the gas evolved has its egress from the casing by means of an opening h in the last sector, as shown in Fig. 6. Each sector is charged with calcium carbid in proportion to the capacity of the apparatus. Each casing is thus filled and secured in the basket, and the latter is placed in the body of the generator, whereupon both are connected together. The valve A should then be well closed. The generator thus prepared is placed into the bell by manipulating the handle X, and the plunger P is guided to pass over the pipe T, while the outerwallEof the generator is plunged into the annular well G. In this position the parts can be connected by means of two cars .2, pivotally secured on the dome, Fig. 3, engaging with projections z", contiguous thereto. When the gas is to be delivered direct from the apparatus to the points of consumption, whether it be for illuminating or for any other purpose, it is sufficient to connect the service-pipe with the pipe K of the gasometer by means of a fiexi ble rubber tube, whereby the apparatus is made complete for operation. The movable bolt or set-screw is then released and the valve A is opened. The external pressure of the water in the receptacle will drive out any air that is present in the generator and force it through the pipe S to the plungerP. Meanwhile the water rises in the generator to replace said air and soon reaches the height of the lowest case, thus coming in contact with the first sector through the opening Y in the casing. The acetylene gas evolved is coneration of gas continues until the cartridge in the first sector is fully exhaust-ed and has given up all the gas that it can develop in contact with water. The forty-one remaining cartridges remain absolutely intact and the water can attack a second cartridge only after the first has been fully exhausted. To

supply the burners in a house, the valve R is opened and the gas escapes freely to the various points of consumption. Proportionately to the consumption the gasometer sinks in the outer receptacle until the first case of sectors again comes into contact with the water, which penetrates into the first exhausted sector and from this on into the second sector, where it meets with an intact cartridge. Thus the production of gas and the rise of the gasometer are repeated. At each followin g descent of the gasometer water penetrates into the sector next in sequence, exhausting all seven in the first casing. Then it repeats the same play in the second casing, &c., until the sectors in all the casings have been exhausted of their cartridges. The operation can be interrupted at any time by closing the valve R, whereupon all parts will re main dormant for any length of time. The apparatus will recommence its work when the valve R is simply opened.

Generally speaking, all acetylene-gas apparatus heretofore have been constructed 011 the principle that the carbid is immersed in the water or that the water is led upon the carbid; but in both cases the carbid inclosed in the apparatus represents one single mass. It is self-evident by the contact of water with calcium carbid gas is evolved and that immediately thereupon the water is forced back and that the globe, with the basket containing the carbid, ascends and that in this system of apparatus the production of gas ceases in order to recommence when the contact of the water and carbid is repeated. This is true theoretically, but not in practice. The carbid when moistened preserves this moisture and the development of acetylene gas becomes less turbulent. The operation continues in a permanent and slow fashion and losses of gas result during the interruptions of the same, especially when the interruption to each contact of water with a cartridge. The volume of gas produced is maintained in the gasometer always at an even pressure no matter if the operation of the apparatus be discontinued for months, as the apparatus always generates a determined volume of gas proportionate to the charge of carbid placed in the cases.

The charging of the apparatus is very simple. It is only necessary to put a cartridge in the sectors of each casin g, which cartridges are ready prepared in size and weight to fitthe sectors, while in other systems the carbid must be dealt out for each kind of apparatus and the larger pieces must be broken, &c., and tedious operations and great care are necessary.

The cleaning and recharging of my apparatus are effected in the following manner: The basket is loosened, the casings are withdrawn and emptied after having removed the cover closing each casing. They are then rinsed and the hands need not come in contact with the exhausted material. After the casings have been dried the cartridges are placed into the same in the above-described manner, the basket is charged, and the bottom is closed, whereupon the generator is returned to its place.

The security of my apparatus is absolute. The division of the charges of calcium carbid into cartridges completely separate from each other permits of obtaining each time a predetermined quantity of gas only, which is incapable of producing a dangerous explosion even when fire is applied voluntarily. A return of the tlame cannot occur, as a vacuum or decrease of pressure can never occur in the interior of the gasometer, in which the water maintains always by its equilibrium a constant pressure. In view of the small quantity of carbid attacked at a time there is no danger of a violent development of heat at each production of gas. All the joints are closed hydraulically, and thus no leakage of gas can occur.

It is self-evident that the details of construct-ion may be varied. The number of casings containing the cartridges may be increased or decreased and arranged in different ways in the generator without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention. I do not confine myself, therefore, to the exact details of the construction described, and illustrated in the drawings; but

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus for producing acetylene gas from calcium carbid in the form of cartridges as described, the combination of a hell or gasometer having the form of a cylinder and being surmounted by a smaller cylinder provided with double walls to form an annular well G adapted to communicate with the gasometer, said smaller cylinder being pro vided at one side with a second well p in open cylinder E adapted to be received into the an- 1 nular well G of the gasometer, and closed at about two-thirds of its height by means of a conical partition J a pipe secured in the apex of said partition and adapted to establish communication with the gasometer through suitable intermediate means, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for producing acetylene gas from calcium carbid in the form of cartridges, as described, a water-receptacle inclosing a bell or gasometer, adapted to be plunged into said receptacle, and a gas-generator having a basket adapted to be telescoped into said gasometer, in combination with a plunger P communicating with the interior of the gasometer and comprising with the well 1) a complete element with separable parts as described, said element forming with the well G a hydraulic closure or cut-off adapted to prevent any leaks which may diminish the pressure, whereby by means of an intermittent development of acetylene from each cartridge of calcium carbid, the gas is maintained at a constant pressure in the gasometer, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for producing acetylene gas by calcium carbid in the form of cartridges, as described, the combination of a water-receptacle, a gasometer adapted to be plunged into said receptacle, and a gas-generator adapted to be telescoped into the gasometer, said generator provided with a conical partition J, and with a lead-away pipe S terminating in a plunger P adapted to 'be guided over a pipe T in direct communication with the gasometer; and said generator having a basket N, consisting of a cylinder having openings in its side and having a base 13 adapted to fit snugly into the generator and to be secured therein by suitable means, said basket being adapted to receive a plurality of casings 1) arranged one above the other, said casings having a central-core or chamber, and divided into a plurality of sectors of equal capacity, said sectors adapted to receive each a cartridge of calcium carbid, and adapted to communicate with each other consecutively, and suitable means for feeding water to said cartridges in succession, substantially as de scribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' OELESTIN MAURIN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES CALVANIS, Crmnnns FLEURY. 

